Gratitude Prompts
Everyone is into challenges these days. We see things going viral on social media because people are challenging others to do something. I recently saw something that said “gratitude challenge” where the person was challenging others to write down 3-5 things a day that they are thankful for and to do this for 30 days. She discussed some of the benefits she had personally received from this in her own life and wanted to encourage others to experience some of these same benefits. I’ve written previously about some of the benefits and ways of showing gratitude (previous posts here and here).
Gratitude has the ability to change our hearts and our outlook. Something happens when we can shift our mind off the negative things around us and intentionally focus on what we have to be thankful for. I’ve discovered that when I’m thankful, things around me seem brighter, and I focus less on what’s wrong and more on what’s good and right. Additionally, when we choose to see God’s provision, it makes it hard to be frustrated by all the ways we feel like we’re lacking something in the moment.
Thankful people tend to be happier people. Several years ago I read a good article about the benefits of gratitude. It stated that studies show that gratitude has the ability to make us healthier both physically and mentally, to enhance resiliency to stress, to increase levels of joy, pleasure and happiness, and to reap social benefits.[1] In essence, people who can stay thankful year round are happy, healthy and prosperous people!
It is also God’s will for us to be thankful and have gratitude.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
So maybe a gratitude challenge isn’t such a bad idea after all! We have to be intentional and CHOOSE to be grateful. It will take some purposeful and deliberate energy on our part. Sometimes it can be difficult, especially in the midst of hardship, to think of things to be thankful for. Therefore, here are some gratitude prompts to get you thinking about things you can be thankful for.
Take Some Practical Steps to be Thankful by Using These Gratitude Prompts:
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First, find a place to record your gratitude.
Some ideas include…Get a gratitude journal, or start your own in a blank notebook. Write your gratitude down in your quiet time journal (this is what I do—I start each day by writing “Thx:” at the top of the page and then something I’m thankful for that day). Create a file or note on your phone or computer that you can add to each day. Look for an app—I’ve seen some Gratitude Journal apps or Virtual Gratitude Journals–Some of them are fun even prompting you to add a picture of something you are thankful for.
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Recount, remember, and make a list of things that God has brought you through, brought you to or delivered you from.
“I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1 (ESV)
“Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given” Psalm 105:5 (NLT)
“Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” 1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV)
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When you feel tempted to complain, stop yourself, and find something to be thankful for.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing” Philippians 2:14 (NLT)
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Look around you at nature and at creation to see God’s qualities and character and be thankful.
“From the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what he made. As a result, people have no excuse.” Romans 1:20 (GWT)
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Remember how far you’ve come.
Think about all of the ways that you’ve grown or improved. Be grateful for that growth.
“Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:7 (HCSB)
“The seeds that were planted on good ground are people who also hear the word. But they keep it in their good and honest hearts and produce what is good despite what life may bring.” Luke 8:15 (GWT)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
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Think about things that you may have taken for granted and be grateful for them.
The saying rings true: Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. Think of things that you appreciate more after you’ve lost them and maybe regained them. For example, some people experience this one in the mission field or in the military when they travel out of country and lose certain conveniences and comforts. I just recently experienced a strong sense of gratitude for my sense of smell and taste after I lost them temporarily as a side effect of COVID-19. I didn’t realize how much I truly appreciated them until I lost them! Health in general is often taken for granted too until you become unhealthy. What would you have a hard time doing without?
“Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7 (MSG)
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Think about new things that you have to be thankful for.
What new opportunities have you experienced? New friendships? New relationships? New blessings?
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
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Make note of answered prayers.
“But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.” Psalm 66:19 (NLT)
“I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!” Psalm 118:21 (NLT)
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Remember the times where you’ve seen and experienced God’s favor.
“Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12 (NIV)
“For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 8:35 (NLT)
“Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.” Proverbs 3:4 (NLT)
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
*The following gratitude prompts are taken and/or adapted from the Bible reading plan: “Sacred Holidays: A Devotional Leading up to Thanksgiving”.
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Remember God’s provision. Make note of all of the ways that God has provided for you.[2]
Read Philippians 4:19 and thank God for providing everything you could need.
Read Psalm 107:8-9 and thank God for providing for your soul.
Read Hebrews 11:6 and thank God for all the ways He has rewarded you.
Read Proverbs 10:3 and thank God for how He fills your belly.
Read Psalm 18:1-2 and thank God for all the ways He’s protected you.
Read 2 Corinthians 9:8 and thank God for making you sufficient in all things, and in every good work.
Read Romans 6:23 and thank God that He gave you life instead of death.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and thank God for providing a way out from sin and temptation.
Read John 14:26 and thank God for providing you a Helper, the Holy Spirit.
Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and thank God for providing Scripture so that you could be taught, reproved, corrected and trained in righteousness.
Read Matthew 7:11 and thank God for all the good gifts you asked for and got.
Read Psalm 84:11 and thank God for any other good thing that He has given.
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Think about all of the people you have to be thankful for and list them by name.
List those in your home and family; your friends; small group; church members; coworkers; neighbors; and even though who have helped you to grow stronger (even if it was through difficult circumstances). Consider praying and asking God to bring people to mind for whom you need to be thankful.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3 (NIV)
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Make note of all of the places that you love and are thankful for.
Write a list of your home(s) and hometowns; place(s) of work; church or place of worship; places you’ve traveled; schools or where you have learned; favorite places to eat; places you love to read about, watch or hope to see in person someday; and places you go for recreation, comfort, restoration, or rest. Consider praying and asking God to bring other places to mind for which you need to be thankful.
“My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 (NLT)
What are some gratitude prompts that you use? Share them with us by leaving a comment below!
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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward! Share this post via the sharing links below. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
- Emmons, Robert. “Why Gratitude Is Good.” The Greater Good Science Center, University of California, Berkeley, 16 Nov. 2010, greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why gratitude is good. ↑
- Kiser, Becky. “Sacred Holidays: A Devotional Leading Up To Thanksgiving-Day 5.” Bible.com, YouVersion, my.bible.com/reading-plans/13316-sacred-holidays-a-devo-leading-up-to-thanksgiving/day/5. ↑
